Financial burden extends to nonmedical.

• Position: Pediatric ICU - Brief article

Families with children admitted to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit incur significant nonmedical, out-of-pocket expenses and demonstrate work absenteeism and inability to perform daily activities, with the lowest income brackets bearing the highest burden, according to a study at Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston.

When children are admitted, absenteeism across all families is 78 days, with high levels of distraction noted in those who do work due to the emotional stress of having a child in the PICU in addition to financial stressors.

"The study...